Do any of you runners out there....

Ever get injuries? I'm specifically referring to Ian MC, Tat Man and Tracey E - you don't ever post anything to say that you can't run due to bad knees, achilles problems etc. I have been suffering with a calf problem for months now - I keep resting it but then start slowly increasing my distance but then it goes again and I am back to square one! If you remember I had the pacemaker to enable be to run - but now I need a new calf!! So frustrating.

Talking of pacemakers, I went for my annual check last week and was told that I had an 'episode' last week - where I had an a-fib which lasted 4-5 hours when I was asleep. I was told it was nothing to worry about as it was a one-off - but when I got home and looked it up om the internet (bad move!) I read that a-fib could lead to a stroke - now I'm worried!

By the way Tat man a Park run has just been set up in my area and the first one was last week. I am hoping that I will be able to start doing it if and when my calf is better and I don't suffer with a stoke! Will let you know how I get on whenever that will be.

I'm pleased to see that you are doing a few runs Tracey - keep them up. I don't post very often but i do come on this site quite regularly to see how everyone is getting on.

Pammy

9 Comments

I'd check it out

by Theknotguy - 2015-01-16 07:01:14

Your situation sounds very similar to what I had before I got my PM. I had problems with afib for years. Had a really hard time passing stress tests because, as they would increase the speed and height, I'd get cramps in the hamstring area of my right leg. Happened every time I took a stress test. No one could give me an answer as to what was going on. Changes in hydration, diet, over the counter food supplements, nothing made a change.

Fast forward to post PM stress test. With my first one, I had more trouble with the broken and cracked ribs (wonder why?) but no problems with cramps. Surprise! Didn't have any problems with cramps all the way through my cardio rehab. Did have trouble with chronotropic incompetence but no cramps. Went back to my post heart rehab stess test - no problems with cramps. Really surprised. Best stress test ever in spite of ribs and other post trauma problems.

I equate the problems I had with afib to giving me cramps. But I could be wrong about that (as others have pointed out on this forum today). Just the same, I'd go back and ask your EP to think about it. Something is going on.

As for afib, I'm on Elequis (Apixaban). It thins the blood to prevent blood clots (and possible stroke). Doesn't interfere with my lifestyle but I do stay away from sharp objects as much as possible. Since you did have the afib session I'd ask your EP about that too. Afib has a habit of increasing in frequency and intensity so a preventive blood thinner may be in order. After my wife had one session of afib they put her on Elequis immediately.

In either case, I had the cramps before the PM, you had the cramps after the PM. So I don't think it's the PM. It sounds like there is a circulatory problem that isn't being addressed.

Hope you can get some answers for your problem.

aches and pains

by Tracey_E - 2015-01-16 10:01:25

Ha! I try not to whine but something always hurts. I ran today in my compression sleeves because of shin splints, came home and used my foam roller then iced. I can walk tonight without crying, I consider that a victory. ;) Did you see my 45 min time for the 5k a few weeks ago? That was sciatica acting up. I ran most of the first mile, walked the second, limped the last, ran across the finish line, inhaled advil with my post race water and banana. It's always something! As my kids would say, whatevs! I'd rather hurt and push through than sit on the sidelines.

I'm sorry your calf is giving you problems! Injuries are so frustrating, and it's hard to know if we need to lay off altogether or if cutting back and babying it is enough. I use my lacrosse ball and foam roller and lots and lots of ice whenever I push a muscle/tendon that isn't 100%. My gym has a physical therapist, I see her to work on it if the former doesn't help after a couple of weeks. I've gotten more conservative as I get older, more likely to modify and do something else than push it when it hurts. I'm not 20 anymore and things don't heal quickly, not worth taking chances.

Don't worry about one episode of afib. If it happened enough that they were worried about stroke, they'd have oyu on meds for it. Once is not a trend.

Hi Pam

by IAN MC - 2015-01-17 04:01:30

It's good to hear from you.

Show me a runner who has never had injuries and I'd question how much running they have done .
The best cure for most injuries seems to be the runner's least favourite word " Rest " but we all know the madmen who believe in running through the pain ! ( I suspect that my cyber - mate Tat Man may come into that category ! )

Sorry about your calf though ; it must be a real pain in every sense . I am a great believer in ice for most injuries and have got through many packets of frozen peas in my running career .

Also I am lucky in having a close friend who is a physiotherapist specialising in sports injuries. In fact she is a member of my running club and has worked wonders on many an injury, mainly knees in my case. Have you tried a physio; they can achieve great results if they know what they're doing ?

Interestingly I once acquired a really nasty achilles tendonitis and that was caused by taking statins against my better judgement. Also the antibiotic, ciprofloxacin can cause tendonitis so always consider non-running related causes.

My most recent injury while running was caused by a bl***y dog
As discussed in a previous post, I now carry two bricks; one to hit the dog and the other to hit the owner !

I hope that your afib doesn't happen again . Were there any possible triggers by any chance ? e.g. a bottle of vodka the night before, or 10 cups of black coffee ? or both ??

Best wishes

Ian






HI GUYS !!!!!!!............

by Tattoo Man - 2015-01-18 02:01:34


..........I have been having too much fun of late and have neglected my PMC homework.

Pam,... as the Wise Ones of PMC have said...." Running Crap Happens"

My cyber-twin IAN MC has me wrong though...my Scientifically Proven Strategy is , ..when facing a potentially crippling injury, is to get Mrs TM into her Arctic-grade furry headgear and get her to guide me down to the Five Bells for a couple of pints of Greene King IPA....

Medical Science lags behind the advances that the brewing industry ,here in the UK, has achieved....namely in the area of combatting,..in a most efficacious way,..the ravages of ..pulled hams..shin splints..Achilles tendon tears.......missing limbs,..heads,..brains ..etc..etc...

So...Pammy.....

If you are near the Albion Ale House in Conwy you will find yourself in a place of wellness that rivals Lourdes...

Please..no thanks...its the very least that I can offer you..

Believe me !

Tattoo Man x

Hi Tat Man

by PAMMY - 2015-01-18 03:01:58

I will take your advice and visit the Albion which is about 6 miles from where I live --- hopefully that will do the trick!

Pam

tough vs stupid

by Tracey_E - 2015-01-18 04:01:50

It's hard to know when it's being determined and when it's just plain stupid! Sounds like you did the right thing not finishing the 10k. Smart, not wimpy. When it's nerve, like during my last race, I know that running more isn't going to do any damage. When my shins start to get bad, I cut back and step up the ice and foam roller. If that doesn't do it, I switch to the rower until it's better. I do the same thing for anything soft tissue- try to cut back and baby it, stop and do something else if that doesn't seem to help.

Pam, what I think is ..

by IAN MC - 2015-01-18 06:01:31

that any man who bites a woman jogger on the knee while she is out running should definitely be put down !

Ian x

Thanks

by PAMMY - 2015-01-18 06:01:53

for your responses.

Cbg Patch - That must have been horrendous for you - glad to see you have another hobby - I'm afraid I don't like motorbikes - heard about too many accidents with them.

Theknotguy - It's not cramp that I get - more pulling a muscle. I will leave it a few months and then ask for a pacemaker clinic appointment to check if I have had any more 'episodes'. I was told I had only had the one occurrence but as it was only a fortnight ago it may be that I'm just starting with them.

Tracey - I'm very impressed with your guts and determination - carrying on even though you are obviously in pain when running. I was doing a 10k race last october when my calf gave way (again) and I pulled out half way through. I thought I would cause more damage if I carried on - or maybe I'm just a wimp?!

Ian - I have seen a physio but at £40 a time (about 20 mins) I can't afford to go regularly. I have had a few exercises to do to help but it doesn't seem to help. I have got a friend who has just qualified as a sports physio so hoping she might give 'mates rates'!

Re your question about the afib I'm not on any regular medication but I did have a really bad cold and cough over the New year so was taking some cold remedies so it could be something to do with either the infection or the medication (or maybe the few bacardis!!)

Was sorry to read about the incident with the dog but didn't agree that all dogs should be put down (I'm a dog lover). When you hear that a man has attacked a women jogger(it has been known) would you then be saying that all men should be put down!!! I rest my case!!

Thanks again for your responses - and keep posting - I enjoy reading all your comments (and jokes)

All the best for 2015 to you all.

Pam


Ian

by PAMMY - 2015-01-18 09:01:47

You've always got an answer - I can't compete - I feel sorry for Mrs MC!

Pam

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

I have a well tuned pacer. I hardly know I have it. I am 76 year old, hike and camp alone in the desert. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. The only problem is my wife wants to have a knob installed so she can turn the pacer down.